What the patient may really want
As well as the more obvious patient management options, the patient may attend wanting or needing:
- reassurance
- an explanation
- permission to take time off work or other responsibilities
- permission to follow a desired course of action
- confidence concerning their management of a child
- acknowledgement of their difficulties
- emotional support
- a sounding-board to explore feelings
- a physical illness as a face-saver
- a magic wand - ask what the patient would use it for
- to adopt the sick role to manipulate circumstances
- social security or other financial gain
- to prove no-one can help
- to get back at the medical profession
- treatment for depression
Related pages
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